What is an Embedded Controller (EC) 2022

Do you know what is an embedded controller? In this article, our team will answer this question from 4 aspects, what is it, how does it work, the classfication of embedded controller, and the application of it. Here we go.

Part1. What is an Embedded Controller?

An embedded controller is a control system that executes specified independent control features and also has the capability to process information in a complicated fashion. It is an electronic device or device controlled by embedded microelectronic technology chips (including a series of microelectronic devices such as microprocessor chips, timers, sequencers or controllers), which can complete automated processing tasks, for example, monitoring and control.

Embedded controller software includes: embedded real-time operating system, application program, application programming interface API, real-time database, etc.

Part2. How Do Embedded Controllers Work

1. Embedded Microprocessor

Compared with general-purpose CPU, embedded CPU presents a splendid scene. There are more than 100 kinds of 32-bit embedded CPU in the world. Most embedded CPUs work in systems designed by specific user groups, and have the characteristics of low power consumption, small size, and high integration, which is conducive to the miniaturization, intelligence, and close integration of network applications in the design of embedded controllers.

2. Embedded Operating System

Now the more popular embedded operating systems in the world are: Microware's OS9, Sun's Java OS, Microsoft's Windows CE, Windows NT Embedded, free software RT-Linux and so on. my country's Case Group has also developed Hopen, a general-purpose embedded operating system with independent intellectual property rights.

3. Network Interface

The network interface provides the necessary conditions for the embedded controller to access the network. The network interface is centered on the 32-bit CPU, and the controller completes the control function of the network interface. The communication interface includes RS 232C serial interface, communication protocol repeater interface, network interface and so on.

Ethernet control network can be constructed by using embedded controller and network interface. With the support of the distributed network computing platform, a distributed control network can also be constructed.

4. Technical points

• The operating system platform and network communication platform of the embedded controller are the popular open platforms in the world today, which lay the foundation for the openness of the Ethernet control network.
• The operating system platform of the embedded controller, such as RT-Linux, has strong functions, and the development of application software is fast and convenient. The application software developed on the Linux operating system can be directly run in the RT-Linux environment, that is to say, the development of embedded controller application software does not require special software development systems and tools.
• The powerful embedded CPU provides the embedded controller with high performance, high-speed processing capability and flexible expansion methods.
• Support TCP/IP protocol, easy to realize network interconnection and network expansion.
• Various networks can be used as embedded controllers to access the backbone network. These backbone networks have high communication rate, good real-time performance, and support distributed network computing to realize network cooperative work.
• Embedded controllers, network interfaces, and distributed network computing platforms can not only build open and powerful Ethernet control networks, but also easily realize seamless integration of control networks and information networks.

Part3. Classification of Embedded Controllers

Embedded controllers are divided into ordinary embedded controllers and industrial embedded controllers.

1. Ordinary embedded controller

In a set of specific systems, embedded controlle (EC) is a control device that is added to a fixed position and completes a certain task. In fact, in the computer, it is an 8-bit 8051 microcontroller.

The embedded controller EC is an embedded main control chip hanging under the LPC (Low Pin Count) bus of the CPU. The purpose of the embedded controller is to help computers (mainly notebooks) manage low-speed peripherals, such as touchpads, matrix Keyboards, etc., of course, the most important thing is that the computer uses EC for power management. In notebook computers, power management is particularly important. It is not only necessary to control the power of the switch, but also to control the notebook to wake up after hibernation and suspend. EC is like the invisible housekeeper of the computer and plays a vital role in the normal operation of the computer.

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2. The embedded controller called in the industry

The industrial embedded controller is commonly known as PC-BOX or e-box. It is a kind of industrial computer and belongs to a compact embedded computer system. Nuodajia's products are powerful in function and small in appearance, and generally adopt low-power fanless processing. Adapter, DC 12V or 24V power input. Effective control of internal heat, making it suitable for harsh working environments. Moreover, the embedded controller has a large variety of I/O ports, which can connect more required devices.

Embedded controllers can be equipped with mainstream operating systems and embedded operating systems such as Windows®XP, Windows®XPEmbedded, Windows®2000 and Linux.

Part4. Application of Embedded Controller

Because of its small size, high reliability, strong functions, flexibility and convenience, embedded controllers have been applied in various fields such as industry, agriculture, education, national defense, scientific research and daily life. It has played an extremely important role in promoting transformation, product upgrading, accelerating automation process, and improving productivity.

1. Industrial application: Including electromechanical control, industrial robot, process control, DDC control, DCS control intelligent sensor and traditional industrial transformation, etc. In industrial control, the embedded microcontroller is directly located in the first line of control and is one of the key components of industrial automation.

2. Instrumentation: There are intelligent instruments, intelligent instruments, medical equipment chromatographs, oscilloscopes, etc.

3. Civilian: Such as electronic toys, electronic dictionaries, notepads, game consoles, video recorders, TV, VCD, DVD repeaters, cameras, projectors, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, anti-theft controllers, modems, laser drivers, infrared drivers, car ignition controllers , transmission control, anti-skid braking, exhaust control, lightning protection control, energy-saving control, security control system, agricultural water-saving control system, etc., these are embedded application equipment.

4. Telecommunications: Intelligent circuit operation control, etc.

5. Navigation control: Missile control, torpedo guidance, aerospace navigation system, electronic jamming system, etc.

6. Data processing aspects: Chart terminals, teletext terminals, copiers, hard drives, tape drives, etc.

7. Communication and network aspects: Computers, mobile phones, TV set-top boxes and other products that use the Internet to exchange information and transmit emails all have embedded microprocessors running.

8. Agriculture, transportation, etc: Smart highways (navigation, traffic control, information monitoring and car service), plant factories (special plant factories, soilless cultivation technology, smart seed engineering), virtual reality VR robots, information appliances (networking of household appliances), etc.